What Changing Demographics Mean for The Future of the Australian Hair & Beauty Industry

Australia is transforming — and so too must the hair and beauty industries that serve its people. At the Australian Hairdressing Council's Leadership Day, held last Saturday, new data was shared that paints a vivid picture of our country’s evolving identity:

• 1 in 4 Australians were born overseas

• 1 in 2 have an overseas-born parent

• 1 in 5 Australians speak a language other than English at home

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has grown by 25%

• And the top 5 overseas countries of birth are England, India, China, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
  

These aren’t just cultural shifts — they’re business-critical insights. They shape the way we train our therapists and stylists, the products we stock, the treatments we offer, and the language and representation we use in marketing. With the Hair and Beauty Training Package currently under review, there has never been a more important time to build inclusive industry standards.

When It Comes To Hair

Historically, Australian hairdressing education has focused predominantly on Type 1 and Type 2 hair textures — straight and wavy hair. But today’s Australia is home to a far broader spectrum of hair types, from coily and kinky textures (Type 4) to dense, high-porosity curls (Type 3).

If 1 in 4 Australians are born overseas — and many more are first-generation children of migrants — the professional stylist must now be equipped to cut, colour, care for and style hair across all textures.

Clients from African, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian backgrounds deserve salons that understand their unique hair needs — not just culturally, but technically.

Without curriculum-level change, we risk continuing to send stylists into the workforce unprepared to service a rapidly diversifying market.

Let's Look At Beauty

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale (the global guide for assessing skin tone) ranges from Type I (pale white skin that burns easily) to Type VI (deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin). Yet, many treatment protocols, machines, and formulations in the Australian market have historically been optimised for Type I–III.

As more Australians identify as South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, Polynesian and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, we must ask: Are we prepared (clinically, culturally, and professionally) to treat all skin types safely and confidently?

From pigmentation disorders to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, darker skin tones often require different treatment approaches — especially when it comes to:

• Laser and IPL treatments

• Peels and exfoliation

• Product formulations and active ingredients

Training in skin of colour must become a core component, not a niche.

Products Need A Look Too

Inclusivity starts in the treatment room — but it continues on the shelf. Product ranges that only cater to fair skin tones, fine hair, or non-textured styles no longer reflect the real diversity of the Australian population.

Brands and salons must start to ask:

• Does our retail mix support melanin-rich skin and textured hair types?

• Do our suppliers offer inclusive education and language accessibility for therapists and clients?

• Are our shade ranges, skincare actives, and styling products suitable for a broader audience?

Now is the time to prioritise brands that champion diversity, and challenge those who don’t.

And Don't Forget About Marketing

With 1 in 5 Australians speaking a language other than English at home, and multiculturalism embedded in our population, inclusive marketing is no longer an optional ‘nice to have’ — it’s a growth strategy.

Salons, brands and educators should consider:

• Visual representation across ethnicities, body types, ages, and abilities

• Cultural awareness when crafting campaign narratives or beauty standards

• Language accessibility in signage, instructions, and consultations

When clients see themselves reflected, they’re more likely to trust and engage. It’s not just about good PR — it’s about building genuine connections with your local community.

The demographic data is clear. Australia is evolving — and so too must our industries. As national training reviews take place, we have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to demand a more inclusive standard of education, service, and care.

To the salon owners, brand leaders, educators, and industry bodies: This is our moment to future-proof the hair and beauty industry — and ensure every Australian feels seen, safe, and served.

Statistics shared courtesy of the Australian Hairdressing Council from its recent Leadership Day, held Saturday 29 June 2025.